In recent times, Nigerian Youths have continued to use creative means to express several aspects of life and living.
Photographer Ifebusola Shotunde’s new photo series –
No Place For Our Dreams, seeks to do just that, utilizing photography and augmented reality to narrate a story that presents the adverse consequences of immoral acts on the people, by the political elite.

The series is inspired by Femi Kuti’s 2013 album “No Place For My Dreams” which follows a political aspirant seeking a top position in government who connives with various levels of society all in the pursuit of power. Each character represents Nigeria’s different demographics and is portrayed by young Nigerians aligned with Shotunde’s belief that the masses hold the power to change Nigeria.

The series is a parody taking the all too common behavioral patterns seen in Nigerian politics to task, as Shotunde took the images to the streets of Lagos reminiscent of campaign posters in lieu of a traditional gallery exhibition.

Here’s a quick Narrative of the series Below

The series starts from when a political aspirant seeks support from the Godfather. After successfully receiving the blessing of the Godfather, a rally is held, endorsed by the Godfather, where he promises Lagosians everything they have always dreamed of, duping the people to like him and vote for him.

In his desperate attempt to win over the people, he bribes a religious leader to support and endorse him when addressing his congregation.

The aspirant’s ambitions increase further still, and he generates a plan to cause chaos in the city, using a group of political thugs, in an attempt to undermine the incumbent government.

Consequently, his political thugs abduct a university student.

The student’s only sibling is devastated by the abduction of his younger sister, and he begins printing and pasting posters of his sister around the city, declaring that she has gone missing

Meanwhile, the political thugs attend a matriculation ceremony at a university to scout for additional recruits. They successfully initiate a fresher who joins the cult.

There is a cult clash on campus and as a result, the new recruit is gunned down by a rival cult member.

The police (Federal SARS), who are also on the payroll of the political aspirant, create a roadblock and abduct a group of innocent young Nigerian males to be framed for the abduction of the student.

However, the police release the abducted child on the orders of the political aspirant, who emerges as the hero, claiming he ensured the police did everything in their power to rescue the missing person.

To keep up with Shotunde, follow him on Instagram here.